Leaders of SADC and EAC Gather to Discuss the Great Lakes Dispute

To address the ongoing strife in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have convened in Dar es Salaam.

Heads of state and ministers from the 16 SADC countries and the 8 EAC members seek to restart stalled peace initiatives from the Nairobi and Luanda processes. The DRC and Tanzania, the sole nations in both blocs, are essential mediators.

Restoring communication between Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a top priority, as it is thought to be crucial to easing tensions. The M23 rebel group, which recently took control of Goma and is moving towards Bukavu, is not included in the negotiations, though.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the chairperson of SADC, has emphasised that development depends on involving M23. According to the UN, conflict in the Goma region, which is purportedly supported by Rwanda, has resulted in over a million people being displaced and 3,000 deaths. Rwanda disputes any role.

The summit’s capacity to produce substantive answers is still in doubt given the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the destroyed infrastructure.

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